Inbred corn line designated ZS0114

ABSTRACT

An inbred corn line designated ZS0114, including plants of ZS0114 and pollen and seed of such plants. Also, a method of producing a corn plant by crossing ZS0114 either with itself or with another corn line and the first generation plants and seeds produced by such crosses.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Generally the present invention relates to the field of plant breeding. In particular the present invention concerns the development of corn plants. More specifically, the present invention relates to the development of elite germplasm capable of forming high performance hybrids when crossed with another elite inbred.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to corn breeding and, more specifically, to an inbred corn line designated ZS0114. Corn or maize (Zea mays L.), is an agronomic crop of great commercial significance both in the United States and in many countries of the world. Corn is used as feed both for animals and humans and has a wide variety of industrial applications. At the commercial production level, the dominant form of corn is single cross hybrids or varieties. Homozygous inbred lines, although not grown as a commercial crop, are extremely important as the source material for the production of hybrid varieties. The cross-pollination of two distinct homozygous inbred lines produces a first generation hybrid variety that is heterozygous at most gene loci.

The goal of plant breeding is to combine in a single variety/hybrid various desirable agronomic traits. For field crops, these traits may include resistance to diseases and insects, reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and better agronomic quality.

Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of the plant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the same plant. A plant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower on a different plant.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for many generations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce a uniform population of true breeding progeny. A cross between two homozygous lines produce a uniform population of hybrid plants that may be heterozygous for many gene loci.

Corn plants (Zea mays L.) can be bred by both self-pollination and cross-pollination techniques. Corn has separate male and female flowers on the same plant, located on the tassel and the ear, respectively. Natural pollination occurs in corn when wind blows pollen from the tassels to the silks that protrude from the tops of the incipient ears.

The development of corn hybrids requires the development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines to make hybrids and the evaluation of the resulting hybrids. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection breeding methods are used to develop inbred lines from breeding populations. Breeding programs combine the genetic backgrounds from two or more inbred lines or various other broad-based sources into breeding pools from which new inbred lines are developed by successive generations of inbreeding and selection of desired phenotypes. The new inbreds are crossed with other existing inbred lines and the single cross hybrids from these crosses are evaluated extensively in field performance trials to determine which of those have agronomically desirable potential.

New inbred lines are developed byplant breeders through cross pollination of breeding materials having complementary desirable characteristics which results in a breeding population genetically segregating for a number of important agronomic traits. After initial development of this breeding population, breeders perform a number of successive generations of inbreeding and selection. The objective of these inbreeding and selection generations is to identify and genetically fix a new inbred line which has improved agronomic characteristics. These improved characteristics may be per se traits such as seed yield, seed quality, or disease resistance. However, the primary objective of most breeding programs is to identify new inbred lines which produce improved hybrid plant characteristics such as grain yield and harvestability when the new lines are crossed to other existing inbred lines to produce hybrids.

The process of determining whether newly developed inbred lines provide improved characteristics in hybrids produced using the new line involves extensive field evaluation and testing of the hybrid product. Each newly developed inbred line provides potentially much different contributions to hybrid combinations than its progenitors. Each inbred corn line also is true breeding. In layman's terms this means that when an inbred corn line is planted in isolation and allowed to pollinate itself, the resulting progeny will produce corn plants essentially genetically and phenotypically indistinguishable from the parent inbred.

A single cross hybrid corn variety is the cross of two true breeding inbred lines, each of which has a genetic composition which complements the other. They hybrid progeny of the first generation cross between two parent lines is designated "F₁ ". In the hybrid seed development process, the F₁ hybrid seed is that which is sold to and planted by commercial growers. The preferred F₁ hybrid seed source is that which produces the highest level of vigor, agronomic strength, and yield compared to other F₁ hybrid alternatives.

Because the parents of an F₁ hybrid are true breeding, the seed resulting from a cross between the two parents will all be genetically identical, and will thus yield a stable and predictable phenotype in the commercial grower's fields. Also, because these parents are true breeding, they can be individually reproduced continually by open pollination in an isolated environment. Thus, it follows that the F₁ hybrid can be continuously reproduced from the parent lines.

A single cross hybrid is produced when two inbred lines are crossed to produce the F₁ progeny. A double cross hybrid is produced from four inbred lines crossed in pairs (A×B and C×D) and then the two F₁ hybrids are crossed again (A×B)×(C×D). Much of the hybrid vigor exhibited by F₁ hybrids is lost in the next generation F₂. Consequently, seed from hybrid varieties is not used for planting stock.

Corn is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a continuing goal of plant breeders is to develop high-yielding corn hybrids that are agronomically sound based on stable inbred lines. The reasons for this goal are obvious: to maximize the amount of grain produced with the inputs used and minimize susceptibility to environmental stresses. To accomplish this goal, the corn breeder must select and develop superior inbred parental lines for producing hybrids. This requires identification and selection of genetically unique individuals which in a segregating population occur as the result of a combination of genetic recombinations plus the independent assortment of specific combinations of alleles at many gene loci which results in specific genotypes. Based on the number of segregating genes, the frequency of occurrence of an individual with a specific genotype is less than 1 in 10,000. Thus even if the entire genotype of the parents has been characterized and the desired genotype is known, only a few if any individuals having the desired genotype may be found in a large segregating population. Typically, however, the genotype of neither the parents nor the desired genotype is known in any detail.

Because commercial corn production relies on the development of novel and improved inbred corn lines, considerable money and effort is devoted by commercial seed companies and plant breeders to the development of inbred lines with the combining ability to produce first generation hybrid corn with the characteristics of high yield, resistance to disease and pests, improved plant stability, uniform phenotypical characteristics to facilitate machine harvesting, and so on, all with the goal of maximizing the efficient use of land and other resources in the production of foodstuffs and raw agricultural materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to produce an inbred corn line that can be used to form an high yielding hybrid for use in the North Central Region of the U.S. corn belt.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inbred that has a broad general combining ability for yield

Still another object of the present invention is to produce an inbred that has excellent tolerance to a wide variety of plant diseases.

Broadly the present invention is an inbred corn line designated ZS0114 and the plant or plants or the pollen or seed or seeds. Additionally the invention includes inbred corn plants with the phenotypic, physiological and morphologic characteristics of inbred corn line designated ZS0114. A method is also contemplated within the present invention. A method for producing a corn plant, comprising the step of using a first parent corn plant with a second parent corn plant wherein the first or second parent corn plant is the inbred corn plant having designation ZS0114. The method wherein the first and second parent corn plants are both from the inbred corn line designated ZS0114.

The invention also includes the first generation (F₁) hybrid corn plant produced by crossing a first inbred female corn plant with a second inbred male corn plant, wherein the first or second parent corn plant is the inbred corn plant having the designation ZS0114. The female corn plant can be detassled, male-sterile, mutant corn line lacking tassels, chemically altered to deter tasseling and the like as known in the art. The male corn plant can be female-sterile, de-eared, a mutant corn lacking ears, chemically altered to deter formation of ears or simply a corn plant used to pollinate from which ears are not harvested and the like.

The hybrid corn plant wherein the inbred corn plant having the designation ZS0114 is the female parent. The hybrid corn plant wherein the inbred corn plant having the designation ZS0114 is the male parent. A method for producing first generation (F₁) hybrid corn seed, comprising the step of crossing a first inbred parent corn plant with a second inbred parent corn plant, wherein the first or second parent corn plant is the inbred corn plant having the designation ZS0114. A first generation (F₁) hybrid corn plant produced by growing the hybrid corn seed. A plant cell which, upon growth and differentiation, produces the plant designated ZS0114.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

In the description and examples which follow, a number of terms are used. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specifications and claims, including the scope to be given such terms, the following definitions are provided.

BL Moist

The moisture percentage of the grain at black layer, ie, when 50% of the plants per plot have reached physiological maturity.

Cold Germ

Cold Germ is a measurement of seed germination under cold soil conditions. Data is reported as percent of seed germinating.

Emerge

The number of emerged plants per plot (planted at the same seedling rate) collected when plants have two fully developed leaves.

GI

This is a selection index which provides a single quantitative measure of the worth of a hybrid based on four traits. Yield is the primary trait contributing to index values.

GLS

Grey Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae) disease rating. This is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible, and a "9" being very resistant.*

GW

Goss' Wilt (Corynebacterium nebraskense). This is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible, and a "9" being very resistant.*

HEATP10

The number of Growing Degree Units (GDU's) or heat units required for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 10 percent of the plants shedding pollen. This trait is measured from the time of planting. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barger Method where the GDU's for a 24 hour period are: ##EQU1## The highest maximum temperature used is 86° F. and the lowest minimum temperature used is 50° F. For each inbred or hybrid it takes a certain number of GDU's to reach various stages of plant development.

HEATBL

The number of GDU's after planting when approximately 50 percent of the inbred or hybrid plants in a plot have grain which has reached physiological maturity (black layer).

HEATPEEK

The number of GDU's after planting of an inbred when approximately 50 percent of the plants show visible tassel extension.

HEATP50

The number of GDU's required for an inbred or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants shedding pollen. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barger Method as shown in the HEATP10 definition.

HEATP90

The number of GDU's accumulated from planting when the last 100 percent of plants in an inbred or hybrid are still shedding enough viable pollen for pollination to occur. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barger Method as shown in the HEATP10 definition.

HEATS10

The number of GDU's required for an inbred or hybrid to have approximately 10 percent of the plants with silk emergence of at least 0.5 inches. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barger Method as shown in the HEATP10 definition.

HEATS50

The number of GDU's required for an inbred or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants with silk emergence of at least 0.5 inches. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barger Method as shown in the HEATP10 definition.

HEATS90

The number of GDU's required for an inbred or hybrid to have approximately 90 percent of the plants with silk emergence of at least 0.5 inches. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barger Method as shown in the HEATP10 definition.

MDMV_(A)

Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus strain A. The corn is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible, and a "9" being very resistant.*

MDMV_(B)

Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus strain B. This is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible and a "9" being very resistant.*

Moisture

The average percentage grain moisture of an inbred or hybrid at harvest time.

NLB

North Central Leaf Blight (Exserohilum turcicum) disease rating. This is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible, and a "9" being very resistant.*

PCT Tiller

Percentage of plants in a plot which have tillers.

Plant Height

The distance in centimeters from ground level to the base of the tassel peduncle.

RM

Predicted relative maturity based on the moisture percentage of the grain at harvest. This rating is based on known set of checks and utilizes standard linear regression analyses and is referred to as the Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating System.

SHED

The volume of pollen shed by the male flower rated on a 1-9 scale where a "1" is a very light pollen shedder, a "4.5" is a moderate shedder, and a "9" is a very heavy shedder.

SLB

Southern Leaf Blight (Bipolaris maydis) disease rating. This is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible, and a "9" being very resistant.*

TWT

The measure of the weight of grain in pounds for a one bushel volume adjusted for percent grain moisture.

Vigor

Visual rating of 1 to 9 made 2-3 weeks post-emergence where a "1" indicates very poor early plant development, and a "9" indicates superior plant development.

Warm Germ

A measurement of seed germination under ideal (warm, moist) conditions. Data is reported as percent of seeds germinating.

Yield

Actual yield of grain at harvest adjusted to 15.5% moisture. Measurements are reported in bushels per acre.

% Dropped Ears

Percentage of plants in a plot which dropped their primary ear divided by the total number of plants per plot.

% LRG Flat

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 26/64 inch round screen and a 14/64 inch slot screen, but does not pass through a screen with 20.5/64 inch round openings.

% LRG Round

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 26/64 inch round screen, but does not pass through a 14/64 inch slot screen or a screen with 20.5/64 inch round openings.

% MED Flat

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 20.5/64 inch round screen and a 13/64 inch slotted screen, but does not pass through a screen with 17/64 inch round openings.

% MED Round

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 20.5/64 inch round screen, but does not pass through a 13/64 inch slot screen or a screen with 17/64 inch round openings.

% SML Flat

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 17/64 inch round screen and a 12/64 inch slotted screen, but does not pass through a screen with 15/64 inch round openings.

% SML Round

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 17/64 inch round screen, but does not pass through a 12/64 inch slotted screen or a screen with 15/64 inch round openings.

% Root Lodge

Percentage of plants in a plot leaning more that 30 degrees from vertical divided by total plants per plot.

% Stalk Lodge

Percentage of plants in a plot with the stalk broken below the primary ear node divided by the total plants per plot.

The yellow dent corn inbred line ZS0114 has unique and superior characteristics. Inbred corn line ZS0114 has proven to be excellent as male and unacceptable as a female line in producing F₁ hybrids. ZS0114 is acceptable for use as a male parent because of its pollen shed rating overall tested environments which is 6 on a scale of 0=sterile and 9=heavy shedder. Inbred line ZS0114 is adapted for use in the North Central regions of the United States and in other regions of the world having similar environmental characteristics. This inbred can be used to produce hybrids from approximately 100-110 relative maturity based on the Minnesota Relative Maturing Rating System for harvest moisture of grain. ZS0114 is unique as a male parent because it appears to have little to recommend it as an elite inbred. The inbred data clearly shows that ZS0114 is low yielding. However ZS0114's real yield potential can not be realized because of it long silk channels and its natural susceptibility to silk ball. Both of these characteristics tend to make ZS0114 look like a bad breeding risk. However ZS0114 shows some unique and surprising results when used as a male in hybrid combination. ZS0114 is an full season male that shows average inbred yield in conjunction with excellent resistance levels to most plant diseases. This line also evidences a broad general combining ability with many other female inbreds. As a male, ZS0114 is characterized excellent resistance to MDMV_(A). ZS0114 has performed well as an inbred under warm germ test conditions.

The inbred has shown uniformity and stability within the limits of environmental influence for all the traits as described in the Variety Descriptors (Table 1) that follows. Most of the data in the Variety Descriptors were collected at Slater, Iowa. Numeric data was generated from means over all environments where the inbred was evaluated.

The inbred has been self-pollinated for approximately 6-8 generations. During plant selection in each generation the uniformity of plant type was selected to ensure homozygosity and phenotypic stability. The line has been increased in isolated farmland environments with data on uniformity and agromonic traits being observed to assure uniformity and stability. No variant traits have been observed or are expected in ZS0114.

The best method of producing the invention, ZS0114 which is substantially homozygous, is by planting the seed of ZS0114 which is substantially homozygous and self-pollinating or pollinating the resultant plant in an isolated environment, and harvesting the resultant seed or the resultant pollen.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     ZS0114                                                                         VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION                                                1. Type: Dent                                                                  2. Region Best Adapted: North Central                                             INBRED                                                                      #3 MATURITY                                                                       DAYS  HEAT UNITS                                                               91 1551.5 FROM EMERGENCE TO 50% OF PLANTS IN SILK                              89 1504 FROM EMERGENCE TO 50% OF PLANTS IN POLLEN                              10 FROM 10% TO 90% POLLEN SHED                                              #4 PLANT                                                                          DATA                                                                           4 ANTHOCYANIN OF BRACE ROOTS: 1 = ABSENT 2 = FAINT 3 = MODERATE 4 =            DARK                                                                        #5 LEAF                                                                           COLOR/DATA                                                                     2 LEAF COLOR * MUNSELL CODE - 5GY 4/4                                          6 LEAF SHEATH PUBESCENCE (1 = NONE TO 9 = PEACH FUZZ)                          7 MARGINAL WAVES (1 = NONE TO 9 = MANY)                                        7 LONGITUDINAL CREASES (1 = NONE TO 9 = MANY)                               #6 TASSEL                                                                         COLOR/DATA                                                                     6 POLLEN SHED (0 = STERILE TO 9 = HEAVY SHEDDER)                               11 ANTHER COLOR * MUNSELL CODE - 5R 5/4                                        3 GLUME COLOR * MUNSELL CODE - 5GY 4/6 WITH (17) 5R 3/4 STRIPES                2 BAR GLUME 1 = ABSENT 2 = PRESENT                                          #7A                                                                               EAR (UNHUSKED DATA)                                                            COLOR/DATA (**RED-PURPLE, SILKCOLOR)                                           **26 & 6 SILKCOLOR (3 DAYS AFTER EMERGE.) *MUNSELL CODE - 5R 4/10 AND          5Y 8/6                                                                         2 FRESH HUSK CO. (25 DAYS AFTER 50% SILK)* MUNSELL CODE - 5GY 6/6              21 DRY HUSK COLOR (65 DAYS AFTER 50% SILK)* MUNSELL CODE - 5Y 8/4              1 POSITION OF EAR AT DRY HUSK 1 = UPRIGHT 2 = HORIZONTAL 3 = PENDENT           8 HUSK TIGHTNESS (1 = VERY LOOSE TO 9 = VERY TIGHT)                            3 HUSK EXTENSION AT HARVEST (1 = EXPOSED EAR 2 = 8CM 3 = 8-10CM 4 =            >10CM)                                                                      #7B                                                                               EAR (HUSKED DATA)                                                              2 KERNEL ROWS: 1 = INDISTINCT 2 = DISTINCT                                     1 ROW ALIGNMENT: 1 = STRAIT 2 = SLIGHT CURVE 3 = SPIRAL                        2 EAR TAP ER: 1 = STRAIT 2 = AVERAGE 3 = EXTREME                            #8 KERNEL (DRY)                                                                   COLOR/DATA                                                                     1 ALEURONE COLOR PATTERN: 1 = HOMO. 2 = SEG.                                   6 ALEURONE COLOR *MUNSELL CODE - 2.5Y 8/10                                     22 HARD ENDOSPERM COLOR*MUNSELL CODE- 7.5YR 6/10                               6 CROWN COLOR *MUNSELL CODE - 2.5Y 8/10                                     #9 COB                                                                            COLOR                                                                          14 COB COLOR * MUNSELL CODE - 5R 5/10                                       COLOR CHOICES (Use in conjunction with Munsell color code to describe all      color choices;                                                                 describe #25 and #26 in Comments section):                                     01 = Light Green                                                                           06 = Pale Yellow                                                                          11 = Pink 16 = Pale Purple                                                                         21 = Buff                           02 = Medium Green                                                                          07 = Yellow                                                                               12 = Light Red                                                                           17 = Purple                                                                              22 = Tan                            03 = Dark Green                                                                            08 = Yellow-Orange                                                                        13 = Cherry Red                                                                          18 = Colorless                                                                           23 = Brown                          04 = Very Dark Green                                                                       09 = Salmon                                                                               14 = Red  19 = White                                                                               24 = Bronze                         05 = Green-Yellow                                                                          10 = Pink-Orange                                                                          15 = Red & White                                                                         20 = White Capped                                                                        25 = Variegated (Describe)                                                     26 = Other (Describe)               1993 PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY PVP TRAITS                                          INBRED                                                                                                     N  MEAN                                            #10                                                                               EAR HEIGHT (CM)          15 75.13                                              LENGTH OF PRIMARY EAR LEAF (CM)                                                                         15 11.57                                              WIDTH OF PRIMARY EAR LEAF (CM)                                                                          15 8.13                                               TOP EAR INTERNODE (CM)   15 15.00                                              DEGREE OF LEAF ANGLE     15 60.47                                              # OF EARS PER PLANT      15 1.47                                               # OF LEAVES ABOVE TOP EAR                                                                               15 7.13                                               # OF PRIMARY LATERAL TASSEL BRANCHES                                                                    15 9.67                                               PLANT HEIGHT (CM)        15 210                                                TASSEL LENGTH (CM)       15 38.53                                              TASSEL BRANCH ANGLE      15 54.87                                              # OF TILLER PER PLANTS   15 0.07                                               WEIGHT PER 100 KERNELS (GM)                                                                             15 22.81                                              EAR LENGTH (CM)          15 11.57                                              EAR WEIGHT (GM)          15 60.03                                              OF KERNEL ROWS           15 13.60                                              COB DIAMETER AT MID-POINT (MM)                                                                          15 24.91                                              EAR DIAMETER AT MID-POINT (MM)                                                                          15 37.84                                              KERNEL LENGTH (MM)       15 9.51                                               KERNEL THICKNESS (MM)    15 4.87                                               KERNEL WIDTH (MM)        15 7.61                                               % ROUND KERNELS (SHAPE GRADE)                                                                           15 46.57                                              SHANK LENGTH             15 9.97                                               Disease Resistance                                                             LB: Intermediate                                                               NLB: Intermediate                                                              GLS: Susceptible                                                               SLB: Intermediate                                                              CCR (common corn rust): Intermediate                                           GW: Intermediate                                                               MDMV Strain A: Resistant                                                       MDMV Strain B: Susceptible                                                     Inbred most useful for comparison with the present                             invention based on genetic makeup and combining                                ability/maturity characteristics is LH206.                                  __________________________________________________________________________

Table 1 indicates that over all environments evaluated the inbred line shows a pollen shed of 6 which permits this inbred to be used as a male.

The purity and homozygosity of inbred ZS0114 is constantly being tracked using isozyme genotypes as shown in Table 2.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     LINE ACP1                                                                               ACP4                                                                               ADH MDH1                                                                               MDH2                                                                               PGD1                                                                               PGD2                                                                               PHI                                                                               PGM IDH2                                   __________________________________________________________________________     ZS0114                                                                              33  55  22  22  22  11  11  22 22  11                                     LH206                                                                               33  00  22  22  11  11  22  22 22  22                                     __________________________________________________________________________

Isozyme data were generated for Table 2 according to the procedure in Stuber, C. W., Wendell, J. R., Goodman, M. M., And Smith, J. S. C. Techniques and Scoring Procedures for Starch Gel Electrophoresis of Isozymes from Maize (Zea mays L.). Tech. Bull. 286. North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., March, 1988.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention also is directed to methods for producing a corn plant by crossing a first parent corn plant with a second parent corn plant wherein the first or second parent corn plant is an inbred corn plant from the line ZS0114. Further, both first and second parent corn plants can come from the inbred corn line ZS0114. Thus, any methods using the inbred corn line ZS0114 are part of this invention. The methods include but are not limited to selling, backcrosses, hybrid production, crosses to populations, and the like. All plants produced using inbred corn line ZS0114 as a parent are within the scope of this invention. Advantageously, the inbred corn line is used in crosses with other, different, corn inbreds to produce first generation (F₁) corn hybrid seeds and plants with superior characteristics.

As used herein, the terms "plant and plant parts" include plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue culture from which corn plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, leaves, husks, stalks, roots, root tips, anthers, silk and the like. Corn tissue culture procedures are also described in Green and Rhodes, "Plant Regeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize," Maize for Biological Research (Plant Molecular Biology Association, Charlottesville, Va. 1982, at 36-372). Thus, another aspect of this invention is to provide cells which upon growth and differentiation produce the inbred line ZS0114.

The utility of the dent inbred line ZS0114 extends to the production of plants which may be crosses made with other species. The inbred line may be crossed with sweet corn or popcorn or other dent corn. It may potentially be suitable for crosses with sorghum.

Corn is used for human consumption in a variety of different forms, animal consumption, and as a ingredient in many commercial products. The production of corn for human consumption includes products of the dry and wet milling industries. The most commonly recognized uses of corn kernels are corn grits, corn meal, and corn flour. Additional processing can be employed and provide various corn sweeteners and corn starch. Likewise, a variety of snack foods and breakfast foods are made of corn such as corn chips, cornflakes, cornbread, and the like. Likewise, corn oil and various components of corn oil have been used industry and in cooking foods for human consumption.

Additionally corn products can be used to make alcohol products. Alcohol products can be used for human consumption, but likewise, they can be used for industrial purposes. Alcohol products made from corn can be used in gasoline. Flour and starch from corn can be used for sizing, for paper, adhesives, and the like. The corn products have been used in building materials and laundry starches and a variety of other industrial applications. Other parts of the corn plant can also be used. The nongrain portion of the plant and the grain portion of the plant can be chopped and fed to animals. Additionally, corn cobs can be used for firewood and husks can be used for more than just for industrial application they can be used creatively in the arts for the making of corn husk dolls.

The seed, plant and plant parts of the of the inbred corn line ZS0114 and the seed plant and plant parts of the hybrid made with ZS0114 as a parent can be used for various industrial purposes.

EXAMPLES

The following examples compare the traits of the present invention with inbreds and hybrids having similar regions of usage, and/or similar traits and/or characteristics. The data will of course vary depending on the inbred and hybrid employed for the comparison.

Table 3 compares ZS0114 well to LH206. Data supplied in this table was generated from means over only those environments where both inbreds were evaluated. LH206 has a (PVP certificate Number 9000067). This is a commercially available inbred. LH206 is an important inbred that would be used in similar regions and would cross well with some of the same inbred lines as ZS0114. The data in Table 3 has been collected for a period of at least 3 years research testing (when possible).

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  __________________________________________________________________________                             PCT   PLANT  EAR         EAR    PCT                    YEAR   INBRED                                                                               VIGOR                                                                               EMERGE                                                                               TILLER                                                                               HEIGHT HEIGHT SHED QUALITY                                                                               BARREN                 __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS0114                                                                               6.0  79.7  3.1   162.6  65.5   4.8  2.2                                  LH206 6.9  85.5  1.2   143.7  60.7   4.7  2.3                                  # EXPTS                                                                              31   31    26    31     31     13   21                                   DIFF  0.9  5.8   2.1   18.9   4.8    0.1  0.1                                  PROB  0.000*                                                                              0.005*                                                                               0.003*                                                                               0.000* 0.016**                                                                               0.697                                                                               0.470                         __________________________________________________________________________     YEAR     INBRED   HEATP10                                                                              HEATP50  HEATP90                                                                              HEATS10  HEATS50                                                                              HEATS90                  __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL  ZS0114   1398  1432     1498  1449     1485  1521                              LH206    1391  1428     1485  1400     1434  1470                              # EXPTS  31    31       31    31       31    31                                DIFF     7     4        12    49       51    51                                PROB     0.241 0.515    0.091***                                                                             0.000*   0.000*                                                                               0.000*                   __________________________________________________________________________                               BL   % ROOT                                                                               % STALK                                                                              % DROPPED                           YEAR   INBRED                                                                               HEATPEEK                                                                              HEATBL                                                                               MOIST                                                                               LODGE LODGE EARS    MOISTURE                                                                              YIELD                __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS0114                                                                               1293   2503  31.4 0.9   0.0   0.9     11.4   31.9                        LH206 1303   2463  31.8 0.0   0.0   0.0     10.5   49.4                        # EXPTS                                                                              30     3     3    1     1     1       31     31                          DIFF  10     65    2.6  0.9   0.0   0.9     0.9    17.5                        PROB  0.128  0.277 0.636                    0.001* 0.000*               __________________________________________________________________________                    WARM  COLD  % LRG % LRG % MED % MED % SML % SML                 YEAR    INBRED GERM  GERM  ROUND FLAT  ROUND FLAT  ROUND FLAT                  __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL ZS0114 95.7  84.3  4.3   8.6   40.9  31.1  9.8   3.8                           LH206  87.5  80.7  4.3   6.8   30.3  34.2  12.4  7.9                           # EXPTS                                                                               23    23    29    29    29    29    29    29                            DIFF   8.2   3.6   0.2   1.9   11.2  3.4   2.8   4.4                           PROB   0.001*                                                                               0.166 0.845 0.067***                                                                             0.000*                                                                               0.041**                                                                              0.098***                                                                             0.000*                __________________________________________________________________________      *Probability that a larger difference will occur by chance is                  ≦0.01.                                                                  **Probability that a larger difference will occur by chance is >0.01 and       ≦0.05.                                                                  ***Probability that a larger difference will occur by chance is >0.05 and      ≦0.10.                                                            

The results of the Table 3 comparison of ZS0114 and LH206 evidence that the inbreds significantly differ in a number of traits. ZS0114 has significantly better performance in warm germination testing (95.7 vs.87.5); although not significantly different ZS0114 has 84.3 percent cold germination where LH206 has 80.7. The HeatP10, HeatP50, HeatP90 are generally the same(this data is in Celsius), though there is a small difference between ZS0114 and LH206 at HeatP90 (832 vs. 825). On most of the other evaluated traits the two inbreds are similar, except in yield and moisture. As previously noted this data implies that inbred ZS0114 has little potential to produce commercially viable hybrid. But the data is not telling the true story. ZS0114 has excellent combining ability and yield potential when in hybrid combination as is clearly evidenced in the comparison of Table 5. In an important male trait pollen shed both inbreds were equivalent. ZS0114 had 4.8 pollen shed compared to 4.7.

Table 4 compares ZS0114 to a commercially available hybrid sold in the same region. This hybrid contains LH74 and a common inbred tester with the ZS0114 hybrid.

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  __________________________________________________________________________                                  %    %                                                                   % ROOT                                                                               STALK                                                                               DROPPED                                                                               TEST                                  YEAR   HYBRID          LODGE LODGE                                                                               EARS   WEIGHT                                                                               MOISTURE                                                                              YIELD                                                                               GI                  __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS0114 × COMMON TESTER                                                                   1.3   5.2  0.1    51.8  25.0   155.6                                                                               171.5                      LH74 × COMMON TESTER                                                                     1.0   3.3  0.1    52.0  24.9   143.7                                                                               167.7                      # EXPTS         43    43   43     7     43     43   43                         DIFF            0.3   1.9  0.0    0.2   0.1    11.8 3.8                        PROB            0.490 0.170                                                                               0.500  0.883 0.594  0.000*                                                                              0.023**             __________________________________________________________________________                                  PLANT EAR       50%                               YEAR       INBRED            HEIGHT                                                                               HEIGHT    POLLEN                                                                               MATURITY                    __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL    ZS0114 × COMMON TESTER                                                                     248   98.9      1353  110                                    LH74 × COMMON TESTER                                                                       241   99.0      1361  108                                    # EXPTS           4     4         2     43                                     DIFF              7.3   0.1       7     2                                      PROB              0.385 0.989     0.500                             __________________________________________________________________________      *Probability that a larger difference will occur by chance is                  ≦0.01.                                                                  **Probability that a larger difference will occur by chance is >0.01 and       ≦0.05.                                                                  ***Probability that a larger difference will occur by chance is >0.05 and      ≦0.10.                                                            

On most of the evaluated traits there is no statistical difference between the hybrids. The exception to this statement is the yield. ZS0114 has significantly better yield by 11.8 bushels to the acre. This is highly surprising since the inbred data on ZS0114 indicates only average yield potential. Zs0114 had 155.6 bushels to the acre compared to LH74 which only evidenced 143.7 bushels to the acre.

The ZS0114 hybrid would be utilized in generally the same region of the corn belt in which LH206 flourishes. A comparison shows that inbred seeds of ZS0114 provides significant advantage for cold germination, warm germination, yield, silking and pollination characteristics which make the inbred sufficiently flexible to be used as a male or female when producing hybrid seed. Additionally the inbred has excellent yield results in hybrid combination.

Table 5 show the yield and moisture comparisons between a hybrid containing ZS0114 and other commercial hybrids on the market. A positive ADV equals a positive advantage for the ZS0114 hybrid compared with the commercial hybrid.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         HYDBRID    YLD    ADV        MOIST  ADV                                        ______________________________________                                         ZS0114     125.9  7.2*       26.1   0.3                                        3760       118.7             26.5                                              ZS0114     123.4  3.2        25.3   0.9*                                       NK4242     120.2             26.2                                              ZS0114     141.3  4.1        15.8   2.1*                                       3615       137.2             17.9                                              ZS0114     122.1  1.9        25.5   2.1*                                       DK462      120.2             27.5                                              ZS0114     114.1  6.3        21.1   3.3*                                       3563       107.8             24.4                                              ______________________________________                                          * = .10 level significance.                                              

Clearly Table 5 evidences ZS0114 has excellent yielding potential in hybrid combination. ZS0114 has better moisture levels and better yield levels than the above listed commercial hybrids.

Inbred seeds of ZS0114 have been placed on deposit at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md. 20852, under deposit accession number 75689. This inbred corn line seed has been deposited under the Budapest Treaty and under that treaty it is understood that ZS0114 will be maintained without restriction and released to the public upon the issuance of a patent. It is also understood that the release of the seed does not give any party the right to infringe the patent claims.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be also understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An inbred corn line designated ZS0114, seed of which have been deposited under ATCC Accession No.
 75689. 2. Pollen of the plant of claim
 1. 3. Seed or seeds of the inbred corn line designated ZS0114 of claim
 1. 4. An inbred corn plant with all the phenotypic, physiological and morphologic characteristics of inbred corn line of claim
 1. 5. A method for producing a corn plant, comprising the steps of:(a) crossing a first parent corn plant with a second parent corn plant wherein said first or second parent corn plant is the inbred corn plant ZS0114, wherein ZS0114 has good yield potential in hybrid combination, and has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. 75689; and, (b) harvesting and growing the seed produced from said cross.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said first and second parent corn plants are both from the inbred corn line designated ZS0114.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein said first or second parent corn plant having the designation ZS0114 is the female parent.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein said first or second parent corn plant having the designation ZS0114 is the male parent.
 9. A method for producing first generation (F₁) hybrid corn seed, comprising crossing a first inbred parent corn plant with a second inbred parent corn plant, wherein said first or second parent corn plant is the inbred corn plant having the designation ZS0114, seed of which have been deposited under ATCC Accession No. 75689, seed produced from said cross.
 10. A first generation (F₁) hybrid cornplant characterized by the excellent yield potential shown by inbred ZS0114 when in hybrid combination produced by growing said hybrid corn seed of claim
 9. 11. A tissue culture comprising regenerable cells of the inbred corn plant of Claim
 1. 